Methods For Getting Rid Of Annoying Koi Pond Algae

One of the problems you will undoubtedly run into when you have a koi pond in your yard is algae. Algae love to grow in warm, moist environments, such as your pond can give them. Algae will threaten to take over unless you diligently make the effort to thwart it. New pond owners will find that their pools are especially susceptible to algae, because they haven't yet established an ecological balance of plants and fish. In fact, if you've only recently installed a water garden pond in your yard and have noticed stuff growing on the liner or the waterfall, it's most likely algae, and you'll need to take steps to keep it under control.

Although some of the short, velvety algae that quickly covers the liner and everything else in the koi pond are beneficial if they aren't allowed to take over, you still need to take steps to keep the population down. There are chemicals you can use in the water that won't harm the plants and fish but will help diminish this type of algae, but don't expect to ever completely get rid of it. A limited amount is beneficial to your pool in that it puts oxygen into the water and gives the fish something to nibble on.

String algae is more difficult to control. This type of koi pond algae thrives in parts of the water garden environment where there is a lot of sunlight. Therefore, it tends to form on waterfalls and in shallow parts of streams. In addition, these areas of the pond have a ready supply of nutrients continually flowing through them. Using a skimmer or algae net will help you remove string algae as well as other larger debris, such as leaves.

It is possible for algae to become such a problem that it will smother plants and fish. Building your water garden in an area of your yard where it won't be in direct sunlight all day is a good idea. If you only have koi in your pond, they will require far less sunlight than plants do, and can even get sunburned if they are exposed to too much. Therefore, select a site that will have direct sunlight for part of the day and will also have shady times and areas. The warmer the water gets, the more algae will form.

You also need to work at controlling the amount of nutrients that enter the water, because the more nutrients that are present means the more algae that will be able to thrive in the environment. By carefully planning where your pond is located or building a lip around the edge, you can lessen the amount of rainwater runoff that enters the pool. Rainwater contains air pollutants, fertilizers and weed killers, and other particles that are appealing to algae.

Koi pond algae need three things in order to grow: water, nutrients, and sunlight. By eliminating any of these factors, you will lessen the formation in your water garden and make it safer for the plants and fish.
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